Potential of Dwarf Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Mott) in Dry Land Areas of Bojonegoro as Forage-Based Feed Sustainability

Abstract

Animal industry especially stockers needs forage as their fibre and protein resource to maintain its quality and prductivity. However, in several dry climate area, forage production is still low when it is dry season. So, the study about forage is very urgently and importantly needed. This study was conducted to evaluate the potency of dwarf elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Mott) that has been planted on dry land areas of Bojonegoro. This research consists of two phase. The first phase of this research carried out on green house to evaluate the impact of drought stress by using 16 dwarf elephant grass, four water level of treatment (P1=100% KL; P2=75% KL; P3=50% KL; P4=25% KL) in completely randomized experimental design. The result showed that Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Mott survived in thoose treatment without decreasing their dry matter (DM) productivity (P<0.01). It means that Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Mott can be planted on drought areas of Bojonegoro. The second phase of this research carried out on dry land areas of Bojonegoro by using 320 dwarf elephant grass. Grasses were panted by using 2 x 5 completely randomised design. The first factor was the location (opened area and teak forest) and the second factor was the five fertilizer level (LEISA model). The result showed that both of two factor affected the DM production (P<0.01). The correlation between two factors also affected the DM production (P<0.01). The best result of planting the Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Mott using 100 % anorganic fertilizer (Urea, SP36, and KCl) (P<0.01). This research conclude that Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Mott has capability to be planted on dry land areas as forage-based feed sustainability.